US Bridges

Valley Forge Road over Towamencin Creek

Poor

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania · Sumney. Pike 22D1/3143K4 · Structure no. 000000000027406

Built
1928
97 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
12,986
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Valley Forge Road over Towamencin Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Valley Forge Road over Towamencin Creek in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1928, so it is 97 years old, older than the Pennsylvania average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 12,986 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 16,936 by 2032. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesValley Forge Road
CrossesTowamencin Creek
LocationSumney. Pike 22D1/3143K4
RouteState Highway 363
CountyMontgomery County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.22714, -75.31672
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,986 (2024)
Projected traffic16,936 by 2032
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$297,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Valley Forge Road over Towamencin Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025.

What condition is Valley Forge Road over Towamencin Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Valley Forge Road over Towamencin Creek carry?

About 12,986 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Valley Forge Road over Towamencin Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Valley Forge Road over Towamencin Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.